New Zealand vs Pakistan, NZ vs PAK 2024, Today Match Prediction 12 January 2024

NZ vs PAK Match Prediction & Analysis

Host New Zealand will be looking to continue their decent form when they take on Pakistan in the opening game of the T20I series played at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday.

The home side will be looking to get back to winning ways in this T20I series after they were unable to win the series against Bangladesh played in December 2023. Kane Williamson will lead the side for the five-match T20I series.

On the other hand, Pakistan will be keen to turn their fortunes around after getting whitewashed by Australia in a three-match Test series. Newly-appointed captain Shaheen Afridi will be hoping that the side can adjust to the conditions and put on a decent show in this opening clash.

Both teams have competed in 34 matches in the history of T20 format where Pakistan an upper hand with 20 wins compared to New Zealand’s thirteen victories. One match has ended in a no-result.

In the previous six matches played between the two teams, Pakistan have ed victories on three occasions.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

NZ

W L W W L

NZ

95/5 in 14.4 6.48

NZ vs BAN 2023

New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 17 runs 31 Dec 2023

BAN

110/10 in 19.2 5.69

NZ

134/9 in 20.0 6.7

NZ vs BAN 2023

Bangladesh beat New Zealand by 5 wickets 27 Dec 2023

BAN

137/5 in 18.4 7.34

ENG

175/8 in 20.0 8.75

ENG vs NZ

New Zealand beat England by 6 wickets 05 Sep 2023

NZ

179/4 in 17.2 10.33

ENG

128/10 in 18.3 6.92

ENG vs NZ

03 Sep 2023

NZ

202/5 in 20.0 10.1

ENG

143/3 in 14.0 10.21

ENG vs NZ

England won by 7 wickets 30 Aug 2023

NZ

139/9 in 20.0 6.95

PAK

L L W

BAN

65/4 in 5.0 13

AGMT20I

BAN Won By 6 wickets (D/L method) 07 Oct 2023

PAK

48/1 in 5.0 9.6

PAK

115/10 in 18.0 6.39

AGMT20I

Afghanistan beat Pakistan by 4 wickets 06 Oct 2023

AFG

116/6 in 17.5 6.5

PAK

160/10 in 20.0 8

AGMT20I

Pakistan beat Hong Kong by 68 runs

03 Oct 2023

HKG

92/10 in 18.5 4.88

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

New Zealand Preview

The home side have picked their full-strength squad for the five-match T20I series against Pakistan. Finn Allen, Devon Conway and Matt Henry are named in the squad for Pakistan series.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Kane Williamson, Tim Seifert, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and James Neesham to deliver the bulk of the runs.

Since Jan 2023, Tim Seifert has been a consistent performer with the bat for New Zealand in the T20Is. In 13 matches played, Seifert has accumulated 401 runs at an average of 33.41 with three half-centuries to his name.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner to make crucial breakthroughs in this opening encounter.

Since Jan 2023, Left-arm orthodox, Mitchell Santner has topped the bowling charts for New Zealand in the T20 Format. In 13 matches played, Santner has claimed 16 wickets at an excellent economy rate of 6.33.

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Kane Williamson (captain), Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Adam Milne.

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Kane Williamson, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee

Pakistan Preview

Abrar Ahmad, Abbas Afridi and Haseebullah Khan are three uncapped players picked by Pakistan for the tour of New Zealand. Sahibzada Farhan, Azam Khan and Aamer Jamal have made a comeback after performing well in the domestic competition

The team management will be looking to select their strongest XI for this opening fixture against New Zealand.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on openers Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayyub, Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Fakhar Zaman to deliver the bulk of the runs.

Since Jan 2023, wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan has accumulated 162 runs in four outings at an average of 54.00 with two fifties to his name.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr. and Mohammad Nawaz to provide timely breakthroughs.

Since Jan 2023, pacer Haris Rauf has topped the bowling charts for Pakistan in the T20Is. In five matches played, Rauf has claimed 11 wickets at an economy rate of 7.75.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain &wk), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayyub, Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr.

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Aamer Jamal, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The wicket prepared at Eden Park in Auckland is expected to offer something for the quick bowlers with the new-ball. With short boundaries on both sides, the batting units will be keen to take advantage and score a lot of runs in this contest.

The weather forecast for Friday’s match is going to clear skies in the evening.

NZ vs PAK Pitch Report

Eden Park in Auckland is going to host the 1st T20I of the series between New Zealand and Pakistan. Pakistan will take heart from the fact that they have won two matches out of four played at this venue.

Toss: To Bowl

Both the sides will be keen to win the toss, bowl first and restrict the opposition team to less than 150 runs. The previous couple of matches played at Eden Park have been won by side batting second.